Basic Statistical Formulas

The following basic Excel statistical formulas can be used to calculate the minimum, maximum, average, median, and mode of various sets of numbers. The inputs for these statistical formulas can be numbers, ranges, named ranges, cell references, or formulas that result in numbers.

Minimum

= MIN ( number1 , number2, … )

The Excel MIN function returns the smallest number in a set of values. MIN ignores text and logical values.

MIN Formula Example

Formula Description

= MIN ( 2 , 3, -1 )

Finds the minimum of 2, 3, and -1

= MIN ( A2:A100 )

Finds the minimum of range A2:A100

= MIN (A2*1.5, 2 )

Finds the minimum of the value of cell A2 x 1.5 and 2

Maximum

= MAX (number1 , number2, … )

The Excel MAX function returns the smallest number in a set of values. MAX ignores text and logical values.

MAX Formula Example

Formula Description

= MAX ( 2 , 3, -1 )

Finds the maximum of 2, 3, and -1

= MAX ( A2:A100 )

Finds the maximum of range A2:A100

= MAX (A2*1.5, 2 )

Finds the maximum of the value of cell A2 x 1.5 and 2

Average

= AVERAGE ( number1 , number2 , … )

The Excel AVERAGE function returns the average (arithmetic mean) of its arguments, which can be numbers, names, arrays, or references that contain numbers.

AVERAGE Formula Example

Formula Description

= AVERAGE ( 2 , 3, -1 )

Finds the average of 2, 3, and -1

= AVERAGE ( A2:A100 )

Finds the average of range A2:A100

= AVERAGE (A2*1.5, 2 )

Finds the average of the value of cell A2 x 1.5 and 2

Median

= MEDIAN (number1 , number2 , … )

The Excel MEDIAN function returns the median, or the number in the middle of the set of given numbers.

MEDIAN Formula Example

Formula Description

= MEDIAN ( 2 , 3, -1 )

Finds the median of 2, 3, and -1

= MEDIAN ( A2:A100 )

Finds the median of range A2:A100

= MEDIAN (A2*1.5, 2 )

Finds the median of the value of cell A2 x 1.5 and 2

Mode

= MODE (number1 , number2 , … )

The Excel MODE function returns the most frequently occurring, or repetitive, value in an array or range of data.